You could be in Alaska this summer, when your home weather is soldering HOT ! Put Alaska 2016 on your calendar NOW, to book this summer, for a little relief next summer !

The Alaska season is almost upon us. And though this cold winter may have causes folks not to decide on Alaska as their destination for 2015 … Those thoughts may change for you, as soon as summer arrives !  Wishing you were there !

This actually happens for many, ever summer !  Folks complain of the heat, and wishing they had planned a visit to Alaska !

Well, don’t let that happen this summer.  If you have yet to confirm your 2016 vacation, mark your calendar NOW, for mid summer …. PLAN ALASKA FOR 2016 !

Whether it’s still cold in your hometown right now … Trust me … It will soon be time to complain about the heat !  And what better way to enjoy some relief, that to plan a week or two in Alaska in 2016 !

Better yet … Do you still have vacation time left for 2015 ?  Alaska !  There’s still a little space left for this season, for you to call to reserve now & hop onboard 1

Not to mention how gorgeous Alaska is !  Like folks I know who want to cruise to Bermuda every year, there are folks like me, who would love to visit Alaska every year !  And I have many a client who does !

Personally I love the snow capped mountains, usually still available in May or even June.  Last year in August, they were gone, due to the amount of rain they had in 2014.

Remember, Alaska weather is unpredictable.  You could have warm weather in May.  And even cooler weather in July ! 

 

No matter, it is still usually different than what you might have in your hometown.  Is Alaska on your calendar NOW for this summer ... To plan for 2016 ?

 

 

Who’s excited to be cruising in Alaska in 2015 ? And who’s patiently waiting for 2016 rates ?

Yesterday, I heard someone mention, "I leave for Alaska in a month" !

WOW … The 2015 Alaska season is finally upon us !
Who can hardly wait ?

And look who is waiting for YOU ? !  A friend who lives in Alaska, shared these pictures with me on facebook, with the caption "Only in Alaska".

Whether it’s 2015 or 2016, Alaska is a destination, once there, you will say … It WAS worth waiting for !  Whether it’s the mountain views, the wildlife, the train, the many adventures awaiting … You’ll be excited once your turn is here, to go to Alaska !

In the mean time, take advantage of pictures, videos, and Alaska news, in feeding your excitement !  Read about tours ashore for your cruise … And if going including Denali, what you can do there too !

And if taking your family or children, share with them, what they might see.  What to expect.  It’s a vacation the whole family can be involved in planning !

But what if you’re not going till 2016 ?

Well, all of us are still waiting patiently for all the cruise line rates to come out, so we too, can confirm our 2016 plans too !  With the 2015 just approaching, these cruise lines and tour operators are right now, in the middle of their finales, in getting ready for this years folks to come forth for their vacation !

In the mean time, lets rejoice for the folks who will be going ahead of us in 2015 !  And lets ask those family/friends, to please take as many pictures & videos as you can. In hopes that they will return, with many pictures, videos, and their stories/memories to share.  Their fun, will most definitely, help the 2016 folks, in their wait !

If you’ve yet to confirm you Alaska plans and do not already have an agent) … Join me here on facebook … I share pictures, news & stories from time to time !

 

2015, Anchorage, AK - 100th Birthday !

According to “About Alaska”, Westmark Blog, 100 years ago, Anchorage was a railroad railroad construction town …. Actually described as a “tent city”.   Today, Anchorage’s population is around 300,000 and it’s about the size of Delaware.

Go here:  http://anchoragecentennial.org/site

Check out centennial festivities.  Discover why longtime residents chose to live in Anchorage and their many historical memories; stories to help make the history of Alaska’s biggest city.  Also see “then-and-now” photo collection.

 

I know since my first time to Anchorage in 1977, there have been many changes I’ve viewed, with it’s changes, over the last 38 years I have visited.  Whether it’s the highways or the many new hotels, restaurants, museums, and more !

I love to visit Anchorage.  For me, it’s a flat cosmopolitan city, surrounded by mountains.  Love to fly into or out of Anchorage, during the daylight hours … Viewing it’s powdered sugar looking mountains below.

My reason for being in Anchorage, my first time, was marriage.  Just after high school, swiftly taken off to Anchorage, for 10 days (by way of the ol'Alaska Hwy), where my husband was soon to be stationed, for the Airforce.  Unfortunately, that marriage didn’t take as one would expect, so I was back home in Virginie within 3 months (just after Elvis Presley passed).

 

One might think I would never return, due to such memories.  No, Alaska is my most favorite place to visit !

And my last visit to Anchorage, in 2014, was one of the most special times for me.  Not only did I get to cruise with some of my favorite cruisers (Tucson Cruisers), I was able to make a bigger connection, with a classmate that was a year ahead of me, while there.  Not only did we visit several restaurants, she visited our hotel, she showed us where she lived, and had fun !

I may not make it back in 2015 … If you do ... Please say hi or at least waive, to my ol' Virginia GF Donna !  I certainly hope to be back in 2016 !

 

 

 

 

 

Second to the mountains of Alaska … The railroad !

Folks go to Alaska for so many reasons !  And if not for one reason … Many !

It’s history … It’s connection to the Russia and the US.  Alaska seafood !  It’s Glaciers and Fjords.  To see Glacier Bay.  Visit Denali National Park.  The wildlife !

And the railroads !   The Alaska Railroad … It’s a luxurious way to soak up Alaska’s scenery !

Glaciers … Mountains … Wildlife … You’ll be able to sit back and relax, while enjoying your spacious, comfortable seats and enjoy an ever-changing panorama of glaciers, mountains, and occasional wildlife through giant picture windows and dome cars.

The train often travels through valleys not accessible by road !  There’s 470 miles of track that’s runs from Seward (Kenai Peninsula) to Anchorage, Talkeetna, Denali National Park and on onto Fairbanks.  The Alaska Railroad operates daily departures, from mid-May to mid-September.

I’ve been to Alaska 13 times, yet only on certain sections of the railroad only 3-4 times.  I can’t wait to visit again, Denali to Anchorage.  And I can take their Coastal Tour, Anchorage to Seward (or vice versa) every time I go !  You can include this with any cruise sailing to or from Seward (even if you are not taking an inner land package !

Though riding in a rail car itself is my main reason for traveling by rail, the views are astonishing.  I love mountains, especially snow-capped mountains !

And the picture taking is endless.  So be sure your camera is ready. 

Another tip for your cruise, especially if not taking in the inner land of Alaska (such as Denali) … Consider taking the White Pass Railroad in Skagway !  Choose the morning option, going north to Canada. And consider including a motorcoach tour, after the rail ride !  More mountains, more scenery.  Possibly more wildlife !

If you love riding a train, then visiting Alaska, and experiencing the Alaska Railroad and it’s spectacular views, should be on your TOP must do’s !  It’s an experience the whole family will love !  With life long unforgettable memories you’ll talk about for years to come !